𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 [a rini au]

forty-nine

nina was having the time of her life. for the past three days, ricky bowen couldn't have been a better tour guide. she spent jam-packed mornings, afternoons, and nights with the boy, snapping pictures, belting songs, eating good food, and making unforgettable memories. it was thursday when ricky informed nina that they were going to meet up with big red, carlos, and seb at the hollywood sign for midnight. nina was beyond excited, for he had been exceeding her expectations the whole week.

ricky drove them to the iconic landmark just before the clock struck twelve. the singer led the salt lake city native through the pathways behind the large sign until they came across the boy's three friends. they were scattered across blankets, munching on snacks and chatting while enjoying their view. ricky and nina didn't even have to announce their presence, as seb did it for them. "nini!" he squealed, clapping his hands and standing promptly. "hey!"

a grin formed quickly on nina's face as she picked up her pace and enveloped the blonde in a friendly hug. once they broke free, she greeted big red and carlos with hugs as well, exchanging niceties. eventually, after they were all acquainted, their night together began.

the energy was the same as it was in the diner back in salt lake. nina clicked with them all, not holding back when sharing funny stories or exercising her satirical humor. they laughed for hours on end, and nina was on the top of the world, quite literally. at one point, she took it upon herself to explore, walking closer to the giant letters with wonder in her eyes. she ran her hand delicately over the W, worried if any more pressure would cause it to break. it was all marveling her, everything about this place. why was she so adamant about not coming?

"shall i take your picture?"

startled briefly, nina turned her head to see ricky approached her with his hands in the pockets of his grey joggers. "i think i'll simply gawk for now," nina answered truthfully, spinning back around to look out at the bustling city beneath them.

ricky stepped next to her, observing the view himself despite the endless amount of times he's been in that very spot. "it's weird, you know," he started, the two still looking forward, "how it's all hectic down there, but it's so peaceful up here."

nina nodded in agreement, now glancing up at him. "yeah," she whispered, the genuine admiration in her eyes now being for him. "weird."

it took ricky a few seconds to realize he was being stared at. when he looked down at her, his lips twitched. the pale city lights were reflecting on her soft face, highlighting her features in ways that captivated him. he didn't know how he'd peel his eyes from her.

nina was feeling the same, chest tightening as she made out each illuminated mark on his face. there was something so comforting about this city, this place, him. stop it, nini, she told herself. don't do this.

"can you answer something for me?" ricky broke the comfortable yet tense silence, curiosity overwhelming him. nina smiled minimally as indication for him to continue.

"how could it possibly be that you're not the girl of everyone's desire at east high?"

nina felt her heart sink, a pit forming in her stomach. he just kept gaping at her, not a hint of humor lacing his tone. he spoke with full sincerity, his concerned expression proof of it. "i don't know, uh, what you mean," nina lied, hoping to buy herself time to think.

ricky had been longing for closure on this matter since he picked the girl up on saturday. he had really gotten to know her on this trip, and he wholeheartedly believed that she deserved all the happiness and positive attention that the world could give. "you always say that you're a nobody, but you're somebody, nini. in fact, you're one of the coolest, funniest, genuine somebodies to exist. i don't get how people at your school aren't either falling for you or wishing to be you."

the embarrassed girl started twiddling her thumbs, eyes focused on her hands. "i-i don't know," she repeated her previous answer. "i'm not the type one would fall or wish for."

"i can promise you that's not true."

ricky didn't want to be that straightforward with her, but it just fell out of his mouth. he didn't regret it, but he also didn't condone it. nina only continued to stare at the ground, his words clearly not registering with her yet. soon, she peeked upwards, making eye contact with the now antsy boy. "and you're saying you would know?" she boldly joked, aiming to mess with him as a way of coping with the news she just received.

instead of confidently defending himself, ricky's lips remained parted and his mind empty. nina, heart beating a million miles per minute, tattooed his words on her brain. she would never forget it, but she would also never forget how easily it could've been a slip up. she looked back at the three other friends, who seemed to be packing their things up. she faced ricky again, the same lost look on his face. "we should go," nina suggested, touching his forearm lightly to get him to move.

ricky swallowed hard, shivering at her touch. "mhm," he mumbled, knowing he needed some time to restructure his words. he followed nina back to the original set up site, the two gathering their own things and saying goodbye to the group. the drive back to ricky's wasn't awkward, but mindless chatter was replaced with soft music. when they returned home, the two got ready for bed.

lying in their respective rooms, the pair of conflicted and frazzled teenagers were restless. ricky's emotions ran wild as he tossed and turned in attempts to get comfortable. nina's heart fluttered as she tried to shut her brain off.

it would be a confused all-nighter for the two.